Say Adios! to 2016 in Old Havana with Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar’s Grand New Year’s Eve Buffet and Late Night Package.

Cuba Libre, located in Pointe Orlando on International Drive, is now accepting reservations for its New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring an incredible buffet spanning the entire Havana Ballroom, plus late night admission, DJ and dancing, a champagne toast, reserved table throughout the night, party favors and noisemakers to ring in the New Year, all for $75 per person, or $45 for children under 12.

An optional open bar package, including 3 drink tickets for select premium drinks, is available as an add on for $25, or $99 for both the buffet and bar package, for those ages 21 and older. Reservations for the New Year’s Eve buffet are available for 9, 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. and can be made by calling the restaurant directly at 407-226-1600

Cuba Libre’s Grand New Year’s Eve buffet, created by Executive Chef Jose Gonzalez, is comprised of 35 different items such as grilled sirloin, roasted turkey breast, orange porchetta, shrimp al ajillo, Ropa Vieja, Florida Mahi-Mahi, citrus grilled chicken breast and grilled vegetable paella. There will also be tapas, ceviches, raw bar items, artisan breads and cheeses, desserts and celebratory dishes for a memorable evening in Old Havana, on International Drive.

For those wishing to dine early, an a la carte dinner menu will be served from 5-8 p.m. The dinner menu features two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot’s Cuban tapas, appetizers, entrees, cocktails and desserts. Reservations for the earlier seating can be made on Cuba Libre’s website.

Cuba Libre has been a must see, must experience restaurant in Pointe Orlando since it first opened in 2008. The restaurant and rum bar serves dinner daily from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. Happy Hour is available every day of the week from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The bar is open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit www.CubaLibreRestaurant.com

Cuba is a cultural cauldron where the cuisines of many ethnicities have been gently simmered to create what is now the Criollo (home-style) cuisine of the island. Blending native ingredients and cooking traditions with those of South America, Spain, Africa, Asia and a few others, Cuban cuisine is a savory mix that reflects its colorful culture. A cuisine that is not only intriguing to the American palate but also a perfect match for it.

This political intrigue and mystique and the Cuban refugees that fled to America have put Cuban culture, and in particular, its food, on the U.S. culinary map. With the growing U.S. Latino population (now the largest minority) Latin food has hit center stage in defining what is served on the American plate. Not since the great immigrations from Asia and Europe has a culture had such an impact on American eating habits.

At Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar they celebrate the Cuba of a bygone era, a time of intrigue and romance and a time and a place now forbidden. The memories of Myer Lansky, mob casinos, ‘51 Buicks, Desi Arnaz, conga lines, El Malecon, and Tropicana showgirls are alive and well. Cuba Libre is dedicated to celebrating that great Cuban heritage and strives for continuing exploration of Cuban flavors, music, art and traditions.

Cuba Libre serves attractive presentations of contemporary and classic Cuban fare while immersing guests in the island’s architecture, music and art. The flavorful cuisine, moderate pricing and energetic atmosphere of this upscale casual dining concept appeal to diners across a wide spectrum. The restaurant’s atmosphere offers a unique combination of Latin flavor, warmth and splendor - from the “movie set” recreation of an Old Havana street scene to the guayabera uniforms and steamy Cuban rhythms. One-of-a-kind millwork and architectural salvage including unique doors, gates, cabinetry, furniture and accessories help capture the essence of old Cuban architecture. Colorful exotic foliage and large potted palm trees add to Cuba Libre’s open-air, tropical ambiance.

The menu features classic and contemporary Cuban cuisine, which is influenced by the island’s native Tainos as well as its Spanish, African, Creole and Asian immigrants. While grounded by Cuba’s culinary traditions. Cuba Libre’s carefully created menu combines beef, poultry, pork and seafood with exotic fruits, root vegetables, herbs and seasonings. The contemporary cuisine is flavorful and savory, but only rarely spicy. In keeping with the gracious social character of Cuba, the menu includes tapas which are small tasting plates designed for sharing.

Along with all of the wonderful food, a substantial emphasis has been placed on the beverage offerings. Cuba Libre features a broad selection of Cuban drinks and offers at least 100 varieties of rum as well as other premium liquors. Cuba Libre’s rums hail from such tropical climates as Brazil, Haiti, Nicaragua, Tortola and Venezuela to name a few. Rum enthusiasts can sample such specialties as Zaya 12-Year from Guatemala, Mount Gay Extra Old from Barbados or Cruzan Estate Diamond from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rum is a sophisticated and versatile spirit. While it is perfect as a mixer in classic and tropical cocktails, it also has the same qualities and complexities of a venerable distilled beverage like scotch and cognac, making it ideal for sipping after dinner.

Cuba Libre’s classic Cuban cocktails are the closest one can get to those served in the saloons that Hemingway loved. Rums are combined with fresh fruits and other ingredients to create a variety of signature tropical cocktails, sangrias, frozen drinks and batidos – Cuban milkshakes. Cuba Libre’s uniquely refreshing house specialty, the mojito, is made from the authentic Cuban recipe, combining rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, fresh mint leaves, a splash of soda and most distinctively, guarapo– raw sugar cane juice pressed on site with a special extractor.

The first location of Black Bean Cuban Deli at 325 S. Orlando avenue has been a long standing hot spot for Cuban and Latin food eats while on the go. The menu there is pretty small, and the restaurant is even smaller, but it still is and continues to be a local favorite.

With the opening of the the location at 1835 E. Colonial Drive, Black Bean is able to offer it's Cuban soul food in in a place where you can dine in or sit on the patio and enjoy a Cuban beer or espresso. Although parking is very limited, it was a nice little spot to grab lunch with some fellow bloggers.

Black Bean keeps things pretty simple with the menu. Guests will find the traditional Cuban sandwiches and other versions of it like the Media Noche Cuban as well as empanadas and baked chicken platters. The food here is always good and the service is always with a smile. As simple as the menu is, it offers something for just about everyone with classic flavors and old traditional recipes from the heart. There's a reason that they have been in business for over 12 years.

I ordered the "Small Cuban", and it was as big as any other Cuban I have had. I am really curious to see what a Large Cuban" looks like. My side order of Tostones with Mojo Sauce was also a pretty large side. Both were delicious.

One of my blogger buddies Chris Roberts @Eat Local Orlandoordered a side of Boiled Yuca and Sweet Plantains. I've had yuca plenty of times, but never boiled. It was quite good actually with the mojo suace.

The newest location of Black Bean Deli serves up the same quality of food and tasty Latin snacks just like the original location. They really have some great food at very affordable prices with large portions and of course the added seating is a bonus too.

Stop by and visit them soon...some have even said they may have the best Cuban Sandwich in Orlando...we'll let you decide. Black Bean is open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 9pm, and on Friday & Saturday 11am to10pm.